CUFORN Bulletin - Vol 07 No 02 - 1986 - Mar-Apr

Magazine Overview

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. 7, No. 2
Date: March-April, 1986
Publisher: CUFORN (Canadian U.F.O. Research Network)
Country: Canada
Price: $3.00

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin, dated March-April 1986, focuses on UFO research, recent sightings, and tributes within the ufology community. The cover features a photograph of a disc-shaped object and headlines about various articles within.

Dr. J. Allen Hynek Tribute

The issue begins with a tribute to Dr. Josef Allen Hynek, who passed away on April 27, 1986, at the age of 75. Dr. Hynek is remembered for his significant contributions to the public understanding of UFO phenomena during a time when it was considered scientifically disreputable. His career as a scientist, including his role as a consultant for Project Blue Book, is highlighted. His academic background, with a Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Chicago and his professorship at Northwestern University, is detailed. His books, such as 'The UFO Experience' and 'The Edge of Reality,' and his phrase 'Close Encounters' are mentioned. His Center for UFO Studies, founded in 1973, is noted as a lasting monument.

Third National UFO-Congress of UFO Belgium

A report details the Third National UFO-Congress held in Hasselt, Belgium, on March 15, 1986, attended by over 60 people. Professor J. van WATERSCHOOT presented on 'Dossier UFOs: Secrets of Time and Space,' examining time-travel and extraterrestrial hypotheses. Mr. Cor GEIJSEN discussed UFOs in relation to visions of the Virgin Mary, suggesting a link between Marian visions and UFOs, and proposing that these events serve as warnings against nuclear dangers. The congress also featured exhibits from various UFO groups and individual researchers. Martin HOLWERDA presented a film about his 1978 close encounter in Rotterdam. The congress concluded with a debate on the prevalence of the time-travel theory versus the extraterrestrial hypothesis among ufologists and the public. A trophy was awarded to Pieter Hendrickx for his work.

Key UFO Sightings and Reports

Surrey, British Columbia Sighting (1978)

This section details a sighting from the summer of 1978 in Surrey, British Columbia. Barbara-Lynn Grover and her children observed a large lighted object hovering, from which four smaller glowing objects dropped, disappeared for about 30 minutes, and then returned. The event, observed for an hour and a half, involved lights that blinked and reappeared. The observers felt the objects were not extraterrestrial devices. The incident was investigated by CUFORN in 1984.

Toronto Daylight Sighting (October 3, 1978)

Daniel G., a 16-year-old from Toronto, reported seeing four objects flying in formation moving west, just on the surface of the clouds. He estimated their speed at 2000-3000 miles per hour. The objects were described as white, elliptical lights with sharp edges. The sighting, which lasted five seconds, was investigated by CUFORN President Joe Muskat.

Calgary Daylight Disc Sighting (June 26, 1985)

Alfred Brantford reported observing a bright white, round, glowing object in the sky near Calgary, Alberta. The object hovered for about 15 minutes, then moved quickly and disappeared. The observers estimated the object's elevation at three to four miles. The investigator, Kenneth Pawson, found no evidence of weather balloons or radar confirmation.

Toronto IFO Report (March 4, 1986)

Bonnie Vickers, a friend of CUFORN Co-Director Larry Fenwick, reported seeing a white trail with a zig-zag pattern moving upwards near Highway 401 in Toronto. The sighting lasted 20 seconds. CUFORN classified this as an IFO (Identified Flying Object), likely caused by erratic winds from a military jet aircraft or an advertising sky-writer plane.

Exchange with Belgian Group

Pieter Hendrickx has arranged an exchange of publications between CUFORN and the Belgian UFO Society's journal, fostering collaboration between the organizations.

Editor's Note

The editor expresses thanks to his daughter Janice Lynn and Hilary Evans for their assistance in preparing the issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently covers UFO sightings, research, and conferences, reflecting a commitment to investigating and disseminating information on the UFO phenomenon. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, as evidenced by the detailed reporting of sightings and the tribute to Dr. Hynek, a respected figure in the field. The inclusion of both potential UFOs and IFOs suggests a balanced approach to reporting.

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: March-April, 1986
Volume: 11
Publisher: CUFORN
Country: Canada
Language: English

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin focuses on two significant UFO sightings reported in Ontario, Canada, during early 1986. The cover story details an encounter by two Toronto students, while a subsequent article reports on a sighting near Kingston.

Two Toronto Students See 21 UFOs in Formations Over Scarborough

The main article recounts an observation by Terry Jackson, 17, and Ken Kozak, 19, both Grade 13 students from Scarborough, Ontario. The sighting occurred on March 12, 1986 (early March 13), during the pre-dawn hours. The students, amateur astronomers, were using a telescope and binoculars to observe Saturn and Halley's Comet. The sky was clear, cold, and windless.

First Sighting (4:18 a.m.):
Kozak was the first to notice the objects, initially hearing what sounded like duck calls, which he later dismissed. Jackson heard nothing. They observed two triangular formations of dull grey, reflective lights, described as possibly triangular with fuzzy edges. These objects moved from east to west at a constant, high velocity. A total of six objects were seen for a duration of 15-20 seconds. The objects were estimated to be small, between the size of a pill and a dime held at arm's length, with Kozak stating that "a dime could cover three of them."

Kozak reported this sighting to the Canadian Air Force Downsview Base at 4:20 a.m., who then referred them to CUFORN's hotline.

Second Sighting (4:58 a.m.):
Approximately 40 minutes later, the students observed more objects. This time, there were 15 objects seen in various formations, including single lines and triangles, also moving from east to west at a constant velocity. They described seeing seven sets of three objects.

Jackson narrated the event on his sighting report form, noting that they had been looking at Saturn when Kozak called his attention upwards. He described the lights as moving, not fading out like shooting stars, and being silent. They were described as dull grey lights, like reflected light. The students felt awed and scared, rushing inside after the objects disappeared over their house roof.

They went out again around 5 a.m. and saw more objects, always in threes in a triangle formation, moving east to west at high altitudes. Binoculars were of limited help, and the objects remained silent. They observed these in waves, with periods of nothing in between.

The article concludes by posing questions to ornithologists and seeking answers, indicating the unusual nature of the sounds heard. CUFORN representatives Joe Muskat and Larry Fenwick interviewed the observers, finding them honest and perplexed. The report includes a clipping from the Toronto Star dated January 15, 1986, and mentions a CFTO-TV report from that night regarding a separate incident.

UFO Seen Hovering for 2nd Straight Night (Kingston Area Sighting)

This section reports on an unidentified flying object (UFO) with multi-colored lights spotted in the Kingston area. An Odessa resident reported that an object seen the previous night was back, though farther away.

June Potter's Account:
June Potter, who runs a greenhouse business about 20 kilometers west of Kingston, stated that she, her family, and three police officers watched a UFO hovering to the south of their location for approximately three hours on Monday night. They were frozen in place, trying to understand what they were seeing.

Object Description:
Potter's daughter, Tracey (17), described the UFO as appearing square with lights on each corner. As it got closer, they realized the lights were colored: fluorescent green in one corner, pink in another, bright blue in the third, and white in the fourth.

Official Checks and Comparisons:
Checks with police and the Canadian Forces base at Trenton did not reveal any known aircraft that could explain the sighting. The witnesses noted that they saw an airplane pass during their observation, and it was easy to distinguish between the known aircraft and the UFO.

Size and Distance Estimates:
June Potter estimated the object was less than six kilometers (four miles) away when first spotted near their barn. It then rose above the roof, hovering for extended periods before moving south toward Lake Ontario, about six kilometers away. She also noted that the clear weather made it difficult to accurately judge the size or distance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance:
This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin highlights the ongoing reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena in Canada. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, presenting witness accounts and seeking explanations, while acknowledging the perplexity of the observers. The inclusion of multiple sightings, witness interviews, and references to media reports suggests a commitment to documenting and investigating UFO/UAP events. The bulletin encourages reader input, particularly from specialists like ornithologists, to help unravel these mysteries, indicating an open-minded yet analytical approach to the subject matter.